Eminem's publisher sues Facebook over song usage

DETROIT (AP) — Eminem’s song publisher is suing Facebook and an ad agency, saying they copied music from one of the rapper’s songs.

Eight Mile Style filed a federal lawsuit in Detroit on Monday alleging that a 30-second Facebook ad broadcast online last month copied music from Eminem’s 2000 song “Under the Influence.”

The Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/10LFB2N ) reports that the ad was featured in a webcast by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to announce Facebook Home, an interface for Android phones.

The complaint says Portland, Ore., ad agency Wieden+Kennedy copied Eminem’s music “in an effort to curry favor” with Facebook by catering to Zuckerberg’s personal likes and to “invoke the same irreverent theme” of the song.